Wedding Policy

 Community Congregational

United Church of Christ

McCall, Idaho 

WEDDING INFORMATION

Policy: The policy of this church is that our Pastor shall officiate at all weddings performed in this facility.  Another minister may be invited to take part in the ceremony (read scriptures or lead prayers) with the approval of the Pastor.  This minister must be paid separately by the wedding party.  Do not ask another Pastor to participate without first discussing it with the Pastor of this church. 

The charge for any non-member having their wedding here is $1,500.  This includes the use of the church for your rehearsal and then the use of the church on the day of your wedding.  The fees also include our music director playing piano or organ, wedding coordinator, sound system operator and janitor. 

For church members there is no fee for the use of the church, but the church does need to be reserved in advance.  There will be a fee if you choose to use our music director, wedding coordinator, sound system operator and janitor.  These fees can be discussed with the Pastor. 

Reservations: Reservations for a wedding should be made as early as possible.  Facilities are reserved on a first come-first served basis.  A $500 deposit is due at time of reservation.  This is deducted from the total cost at the time of the wedding.  All fees must be paid by the day of the rehearsal. 

Reception: If you wish to have a rehearsal dinner or reception in the church fellowship hall the charge is $300. 

Music: The wedding ceremony is a rite of the church.  It is a worship experience and any music selected must be appropriate for worship.  All music must be selected for approval by the Pastor and musician(s) at least three (3) weeks prior to the ceremony.  Our director or music shall be called to provide the music for the ceremony. 

Decorations: The sanctuary lends itself to simplicity.  Flowers and decorations should be in accord with this simplicity.  This is a place of worship and the decor of the sanctuary must be respected.  Scotch tape or masking tape cannot be used to fasten decorations.  All decorations must be removed immediately following the ceremony.  There are two seven-candle candelabra available for your use.  You must provide the candles.  If you wish to use the marriage “unity Candle,” you must also provide these candles.  The Pastor needs to know at the time of planning the service if a unity candle is to be used. 

Dressing Rooms: Dressing rooms are available for the bride and her party and for the groom and his party.  You will be shown these areas when you have your planning appointment with the pastor. 

Photographers: No pictures are to be taken during the ceremony, except video and time exposures where the photographers do not interfere with or distract from the ceremony.  Pictures may be taken ahead of time, as the bridal party processes into the sanctuary, after the benediction, and after the ceremony.  If you plan to video tape the ceremony, the person(s) doing this must be present at the rehearsal with the equipment to better understand proper procedures. 

Rehearsal: The rehearsal will take at least one hour from the time all of the wedding party arrives at the church.  Please allow plenty of time for this, as a thorough rehearsal will cause the wedding to flow smoothly. 

Legal Requirements: You will need a marriage license from the State of Idaho, which can be purchased at any county office.  Most county offices will not take checks.  There is no waiting period in Idaho and marriage licenses are good indefinitely.  You will be given the original copy of the license after the ceremony when it has been properly signed.  You may also wish to arrange to purchase a certified copy of the license after it has been recorded. 

Delivering Documents and Donations: If possible, the license should be delivered to the Pastor at least one week in advance of the wedding date.  This gives us time to complete the license and relieves you of the worry of trying to work out details on the day of the ceremony.